The unfolding hoax pulled on Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o is just one of many 21st century sports stories that have turned in unexpected ways / David J. Phillip, AP

by Mike Lopresti, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Lopresti, USA TODAY Sports

And so another Hallmark card moment in sports has gone sour, faster than you can say Manti Te'o. Good thing fans are a resilient bunch. They have to be.

Most prefer happy endings, but look how many times they don't get them. Let's take a sampling just from the 21st century. Warm and fuzzy headlines ... and then the cold postscript, be it by bad behavior or bad luck, or occasionally just by time.

Jim Tressel beats Michigan again, native son has Ohio State football program on a roll ...

Anyone care for a free tattoo?

Roger Clemens fulfills World Series dream, next stop is Cooperstown ...